Recently I read a story in the news about a couple whose dream destination wedding on the Outer Banks of NC was thwarted by a storm that washed away their plans and the road for their guests to come. Rather than cancel the wedding, they decided to invite the whole community around them. Within a day, the locals responded with a free venue, officiant and photographer, flowers, DJ, and an abundance of food and cake. Over 400 people attended to bless the happy couple and fill the dance floor in celebration. The couple is now giving back to the community through a GoFundMe campaign to meet an infrastructure need in the community.
I can see how the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a wedding banquet.* As I mull over the gospel parable past its disturbing images to its deeper truth, I land on the invitation to everyone to experience God’s unbounding joy and grace. God is always setting a table of love and plenty before us wanting to free us from ways, judgments, and attachments that divide and diminish rather than heal and make us come alive. The question is do we accept the invitation to this feast and live into the call to Christ’s compassion, inclusivity, selflessness, and peace?
Are we willing to see all who God has invited to the table as ourselves, our brothers and sisters? Do we consider our values and priorities, attitudes and behaviors as to how they affect the well-being of others? Are we looking for ways that our time, talent, and treasure can contribute to a community’s needs? Are we caring for the Earth and grateful for its fruits on our table?
I know that the way of Christian discipleship is not easy, but I know it is life-giving. My soul dances as we come together to lift up what is beautiful, true, and good.
--Trish Stefanik, Overlook Retreat House at Dayspring
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A little book comes to mind as I reflect on developing the inner disposition to be able to love more fully, Anthony de Mello’s The Way to Love. Lots to meditate on and revisit again and again.
